Voters May Reconsider Runoffs In Kissimmee

Those Who Want To Skip A Second Round Of Voting Say Electing By Plurality Would Save Money.

June 4, 1994|By Susan Jacobson of The Sentinel Staff

KISSIMMEE — Four times in the past 11 years, Kissimmee City Commission races have been decided by runoff elections.

That could change in November, when voters likely will decide whether to eliminate most runoffs and decide elections by whoever receives the most votes.

Currently, if a candidate does not receive more than 50 percent of the ballots, a runoff is scheduled.

Under the proposal, which must be approved by voters, whoever receives the most votes would win. In the case of a tie, a runoff still would be conducted.

Commissioner Ron Dorsett said he thinks runoffs are a waste of taxpayer and candidate money.

''It's just cheaper all the way around (to let a plurality decide),'' Dorsett said.

A review of elections office records shows that although there have been Kissimmee runoffs four times in the last 11 years, changing the system would not have affected results.

This year, for example, Joe Hemphill received 46 percent of the vote in the general election, while the second-place finisher in the field of six, Jeannine Ferrara, got 16 percent. Hemphill won the runoff.

Proponents of the change argue that the usually small turnout in runoff elections doesn't warrant spending taxpayer money on the balloting.

Figures were not available Friday, but Dorsett estimated it costs $3,000 to $4,000 for a runoff election. In larger cities such as Tallahassee, the cost can rise to $40,000, said Ken Small, director of economic research for the Florida League of Cities.

Opponents of plurality votes say a majority ought to pick its elected representatives.

This week's action, which passed 5-0, authorizes the advertising of the proposed ordinance. It then must go through first and second readings before being placed on the ballot.

The Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections supports getting rid of runoffs in statewide elections because of low turnouts and high costs, said Ron Labasky, the group's general counsel. The group does not have a position on runoffs in municipal elections, he said.